Rethinking How We Grade Students

Tips Every Teacher should Know about Google Docs in Education

Tips Every Teacher should Know about Google Docs in Education ( Great Easy Guide )

Common Core State Standards: Math Instructional Shifts

David Ginsberg, from the Coach G's Teaching Tips blog, shares the following:

The fate of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics will depend on how we teach more so than what we teach. It's great, for example, that teachers will now have time to explore topics in greater depth. But unless they're prepared to go deeper with those topics, the extra time will be spent reinforcing algorithms and formulas rather than deriving them. 

School leaders and math teachers must therefore understand the instructional implications of CCSS in addition to the content implications. This is why I begin Math CCSS training with a discussion of six shifts in instruction associated with CCSS: Focus: fewer topics covered in greater depth Coherence: connect learning within and across grades Fluency: perform mathematics with speed and accuracy Understanding: use mathematics in complex situations Application: know when and how applying math can solve a problem Dual Intensity: achieve fluency and conceptual understanding/application Check out this video in which CCSS co-author David Coleman explains the six shifts in more detail:

WLMS Pride: Learn2 Tri Program Highlighted

The latest HCPSS Parent Teacher Connection program has a feature toward the end of the program on the Learn-2 -Tri pilot program. This T. V. program highlights the partnership between Tri-Columbia and six Howard County Public Schools including Wilde Lake Middle School. WLMS students can be seen swimming in the Wilde Lake Swim Center as they practiced one of the three events that make-up a triathlon event.

Check it out at : http://hcpsstv.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=881

(It starts at about minute 24-25 minute mark.  You can drag the button on the bottom of the screen to that point)

Thanks to Mrs. Lyons and Mr. Tiffany for helping to implement this new program.

Happy 4th of July!

In honor of our country's birthday, here is a cool video that deconstructs one of my favorite American landmarks.

Check it out:

ReUse, ReCycle...ReNEW!

When You Were Mine

Way to do it Alyssa! She is a former student of mine.

The Power of Title IX!

Title IX is a law passed in 1972 that requires gender equity for boys and girls in every educational program that receives federal funding. I am so glad my daughter was born after 1972!

7 Steps to Happiness

A Medieval Help Desk

Educator Effectiveness Academy 2012

As part of the Race to the Top grant, the Maryland State Department of Education is conducting 10 regional Educator Effectiveness Academies (EEA) again this summer. The academies are designed to help teams from each public school begin to understand the curricular changes that teachers and students will begin to see over the next few years here in Maryland classrooms.

Mrs. Warner, Mrs Kelley and Mr. Spicher joined me this past week as we attended the EEA in Howard County at Marriotts Ridge High School. We learned a lot about the new state curriculum and began working on our school's transition plan. This plan will guide the professional learning activities we will use to help our staff members focus on  ways to fully implement of the Common Core State Curriculum including Maryland's STEM initiatives.

To read more, click here: Regional 'educator effectiveness academies' begin at Marriotts Ridge High

or visit:
lhttp://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/index.html

“As Maryland moves from the State Curriculum to the Maryland Common Core State Curriculum, teams of educators from around the state engaged in developing curriculum frameworks and tools that will provide all Maryland educators with the information and resources they need to insure that our children receive a world-class education."
                   —Judy Jenkins, Director of Curriculum

Basic Math Made Even Easier!